Internet Marketing and Public Relations

All dressed-up with nowhere to go - the plight of the press release

We often get enquiries about producing press releases. Seldom, if ever, the requirement is for a press release. What the enquirer really wants is publicity - fame, coverage, customers, income… So, why does the conversation always begin with the press release? Probably because that's something tangible, an activity that can be identified in the process leading to seeing one's name in the limelight. Unfortunately, too many of us in the marketing communications world take such requests at face value: You want a release? Here's a release - faultlessly executed (one hopes) and with all the relevant information in just the right order. We'll even distribute it for you, to the media of your choice… Come on folks, before we start talking press releases let's see if we can identify your goals. You may well need a press release somewhere along the line, but let's not make that the starting point. I know, you can put a price tag on the release and it is something you can hold in your hand or show to your boss; a PR plan can cost a lot of money, it can be full of esoteric stuff, and it may take a long time before anything good happens - your store opens next week, or your product is soon to be announced, and a press release is all you've got time for. Elsewhere on this website is a Press Release Primer you can download; it gives some tips on how to write a press releases, but it also hints at some of the peripheral activities associated with issuing a press release so that you have somewhere to go with your story. But please, let's work together to see if the PR you need is a Press Release or Public Relations.

Some of you may recall the original WebPR Press Release Primer, first posted in 1996 and the subject of considerable attention. We have updated the contents and we have reissued it. Now Free!

Trademark and logo design. A valuable resource from Cook Creative, not only for logos, but also for all creative services.

...and speaking of creative, you can see a collection of oils and watercolors here, by California artist Mike Eramdjian...

Codswallop And Fries Witty blog about Brits, Americans, living in and visiting Florida, by John Sterlicchi.

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This blog is attached to WebPR.com, but its scope is wider than marketing communications - it is communications. The idea is to explore the many facets of communications as they apply to business and to personal life. Whether we like it or not, we have stumbled into a connected world. We take our work home, and we use work computers for personal tasks. Remember when a telegram was the fastest way to communicate with anyone in the world? If you're young enough you probably don't - and you're probably not sure what the fax is all about. In any event, the world of communications is the topic for this Discourse.

Here is a forum where you can express opinions, present facts, recommend solutions. The idea is to cover some of the topics and issues not discussed elsewhere. The forum targets marketing people in small and medium size companies. Topics range from starting a web site to various aspects of marketing communications, writing, presentations, and others. It also provides a repository for press releases.Check-out the Open Forum

The dream car of 1961 - the incredible Dodge Flitewing

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